Black Powder

[Bruce W Sims]

Hi, Folks:

I've been taking notes about powder for my Dragoon and I guess I will put this new find ( O.E.) on my list of things to try.
Two questions:

1.) "OE is a little bit hotter than Swiss, leaves a softer fouling and costs 25-30% less." I was going to avoid Swiss as
I understand its a bit hotter in and of itself. I would like the closest approximation of authentic shooting performance where possible. Thoughts?

2.) Webt to  Track of the Wolf and asked about purchases of powder and I understand that I can only buy it by the case and that it won't be shipped to my home but to a licensed dealer in my area. Is this about par for the course? I seem to hear it both ways.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[Pay Dirt Norvelle]

As to Black Powder we (meaning our civil War reenacting group) orders BP in 50lb lots and we have it shipped directly to one of our members.  I happen to know that as I am the treasurer and have to pay the bill.  I am in California if that helps.

[Ranch 13]

Hi, Folks:

I've been taking notes about powder for my Dragoon and I guess I will put this new find ( O.E.) on my list of things to try.
Two questions:

1.) "OE is a little bit hotter than Swiss, leaves a softer fouling and costs 25-30% less." I was going to avoid Swiss as
I understand its a bit hotter in and of itself. I would like the closest approximation of authentic shooting performance where possible. Thoughts?

2.) Webt to  Track of the Wolf and asked about purchases of powder and I understand that I can only buy it by the case and that it won't be shipped to my home but to a licensed dealer in my area. Is this about par for the course? I seem to hear it both ways.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

Bruce Track will send 25 lb cases to your home. They don't deal the powder direct but have an arrangement with a dealer that does ship to you. But you can get as small as 5 lb orders from Powder Inc, and Grafs.
As far as getting a powder as close to what they may have had in the late 1800's this Eynsford has got to be about as close as we'll ever get.

[Bruce W Sims]

Thanks, Ranch:

Right now I have to take your word for that. I'll make sure and give it a try.

Oh...and thanks for the tip about the shipping. I'm close to the Chicago area and folks have gotten a bit skittish
about things like pistols of late. Street violence is up and except for the hand-grenade, we have no sure cure
for acting stupid.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[St8LineLeatherSmith]

As to Black Powder we (meaning our civil War reenacting group) orders BP in 50lb lots and we have it shipped directly to one of our members.  I happen to know that as I am the treasurer and have to pay the bill.  I am in California if that helps.

Soooo exactly what battles of the war of northern agression do you reenact in cali?

[Bruce W Sims]

Not to derail the conversation but I was kinda wondering the same thing. I know there
were some eddies in the Civil War that didn't get the attention that the war in the East did.
For instance, it seems like almost all of the campaigns and actions WEST of the Mississippi
get a nod and thats about it. Thoughts anyone?

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[griswold]

Bruce,
We had about three battles here in Texas and some skirmishes north on the Red river.........one was the land/sea battle to retake Galveston from the Yankees........the US Navy surrounded Galveston bay to prevent shipping in or out in Oct of 1862, but due to lack of coordination in New Orleans with troops, they didn't take the island until Dec.  25 1862 when 264 troops from the 42 Mass landed. 
The Texas Confederates, mostly old men and boys too young to enlist in the army, lead by Gen. Magurder led a flotilla of 2 river boats armed with cannon and cotton bales for protection to vital parts of the boats, attacked 6 US Navy vessels in Galveston Bay on Jan 1, 1863....7 days later.

One of the river boats was sunk but the other captured one of the Navy ships even though their heavy cannons had burst.
The US Navy flag ship ran aground during this melee and to keep it from being captured, the Fleet commander elected to blow it up........well he blew himself up too.........

The RR bridge that connected the Galveston ports to the mainland (Galveston was a major shipping port during those years) served to allow the Texas cavalry and soldiers to sneak into Galveston during New Years Eve night and they pinned the 42 Mass. troopers into a corner on the end of the main large wharf.....the Navy ships bombarded Galveston to keep the troopers from being captured and many of the old buildings still standing today have repair scars where the cannon shells struck.

Anyway, after the Fleet commander blew himself up, the remaining 4 ships skedaddled back to New Orleans, leaving the boys of the 42nd to fend for themselves. They surrendered and spent the rest of the war in North Texas.

The actual battle on land and sea took about 3 hours. This is still the most embarrassing US Navy defeat in the history of the US Navy. 

Then there is the Sabine Pass battle where again the US Navy was driven off by shore batteries and the last battle of the Civil War down near Brownsville.......Palmeto Ranch in May of 1865. is the biggest battle in troop numbers and victory was again earned by the Texans........

The war was officially declared over on August 20, 1866..

Three battles, three Texan victories..........Ya just don't mess with Texas.

[Bruce W Sims]

Thanks, Griswold:
See, thats one of the more obscure bits of the Civil War that don't get heard about. Regardless of a person's sentiments I don't think anyone could help but admire that sort of tenacity.....or as Lee was quoted, "Texans always move 'em!"
Sorta sorry to hear it was Galveston, though. I'm guessing that all of the historical sites were washed away in the tragic storm that hit the city in September of 1900. Do you know if there are any sites associated with the actions on the Red River? IIRC the final military action of the War took place in Texas after Lee surrendered. Seems to me that was a Southern victory as well. FWIW.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[griswold]

Bruce,
The last battle of the Civil war was in Louisiana...don't know of any sites in Louisiana concerning that......there wasn't much there but trees, river and red mud.............about 90 gun boats, some are probably buried deep in the mud.....Shreveport may have some buildings with repaired damage.......like Galveston and Vicksburg.......

The skirmishes on the Red River in Texas spilled over mostly from the Louisiana campaign on the Red River.....just little gun fights .....

The old buildings in old downtown Galveston are still standing on high ground as are some of the old homes facing the Gulf.
As I stated above some of them have the repaired scars from Navy cannon shot.

[Bruce W Sims]

Many thanks..... think I'll do some diggin'

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[Dick Dastardly]

I've gotten good service and very fair prices when buying black powder from these people.
http://www.buffaloarms.com/

DD-MDA

[Bruce W Sims]

I've gotten good service and very fair prices when buying black powder from these people.
http://www.buffaloarms.com/

DD-MDA

I'm guessing there will still be the H-M surcharge along with shipping costs, right?

[Dick Dastardly]

The HazMat charge is the same for one pound and for 25 pounds.  I usually order 25 pounds.  Buffalo will mix a batch to your specs to make up a 25lb batch.

DD-MDA

[Tequila Jim]

Hey Leathersmith, we are out here in la la land, you know Hollyweird etc. We
make up our own battles. Regards, TJ

[St8LineLeatherSmith]

Hey Leathersmith, we are out here in la la land, you know Hollyweird etc. We
make up our own battles. Regards, TJ

I was kinda wondering about that
I was also thinking did I  fall asleep in history class
being September this is the month of the season that the battle for Chickamauga was fough tand the siege of Chattanoogaby the federal troops began
I am surrounded with history here
real good read!
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/civil_war_series/10/sec1.htm

[Bruce W Sims]

I know some folks still carry a historical "chip" on their shoulder.
Putting that to one side for a moment, though, it may be worthwhile
to take a knee and reflect. The reason I mention this is to dovetail
on a comment about how some folks are surrounded by history....and how, for
other folks, the obvious still gets lost. For instance, over in Europe they are observing
the 100th anniversary of WW I and I have not seen a whole lot here in the States.
More to the point, there is also the on-going issue of developers encroaching
on ACW sites across the eastern US. I promise to stay off my soapbox if folks will
remember that our folks are only truly "dead" when we forget about them.

Just sayin.....

Best Wishes,

Bruce